Message from Bishop Gronberg
Dear NT-NL Leaders:
At our Synod assembly in April we highlighted the work that has been done with AI technology in our partnership with Solace and the ELCA Innovation Lab. This has resulted currently in our “Lutherbot” AI Assistant which many of you have used. 16 congregations in NT-NL now have the AI Assistant on their website and our PLMA students have utilized it as well. To learn more about AI and how it is impacting our lives we invite you to a webinar on August 12 from Noon-1pm. Information about this event is below. and the link is https://us06web.zoom.us/j/89115016117?pwd=bCX5mR9UId8SwVELT6uaaZbqI9YxVZ.1
Learn.AI: What Every Church Should Know About Artificial Intelligence
Artificial intelligence is no longer a future technology—it is already shaping how people search for information, ask questions, and engage with the world around them. That includes the Church.
Join us for Learn.AI, a free webinar designed for pastors, church staff, lay leaders, and members of NTNL congregations. Whether you’re excited about AI, skeptical of it, or simply curious, this conversation will provide an accessible introduction to what AI is, how it works, and the important questions the Church should be asking as this technology becomes part of everyday life.
Together we’ll explore:
- What generative AI is (and what it isn’t)
- How AI systems are trained and why that matters
- The opportunities and challenges AI presents for ministry
- The ethical and theological questions every congregation should be considering
- LutherBot and what makes a governed AI assistant different from commercial AI tools
The webinar will be led by Rev. Dr. Andy Morgan, Director of Faith Formation at First Presbyterian Church, Knoxville, and Director of Theological Experience and Formation at Solace. Andy has helped churches across the country develop AI fluency and discern faithful approaches to emerging technologies.
Tuesday, August 12
12:00–1:00 p.m. Central Time
Whether you’ve never used AI before or are already experimenting with it, you’ll leave with a better understanding of this rapidly changing technology and how the Church can engage it faithfully and thoughtfully.
We hope you’ll join us.
Rostered Leaders are expected to complete Boundary Training regularly. This is also good training for lay leaders as well. November 12, from 9am-Noon we will be partnering with the Region 4 synods to offer this training online. If you are a rostered leader and have not completed this training in the last 3 years please participate.
Support for Victims of Venezuelan Earthquakes
The earthquakes in Venezuela have caused much suffering. As always, when disaster strikes around the world we encourage you to supper Lutheran Disaster Response (www.lwr.org) and the amazing work they do. However, in this situation we have direct ties to those suffering through the work of Emanuel-Dallas and their connection with the Venezuelan refugee community. Below is a letter from the Emanuel Community and ways you can support. As always, we intend our work to be long term support and grateful for Emanuel’s commitment…
Venezuela Earthquake Relief – Join Emanuel in Partnership
This past Wednesday, members of Dallas’ Venezuelan community gathered at Emanuel Lutheran Church in Dallas with our NT-NL Snyod DEM Pastora Irma Banales to begin organizing relief efforts for families affected by the recent earthquake in Venezuela. Volunteers received donations, shared a simple meal, prayed together, and listened to one another’s stories as they supported friends and loved ones back home.
Since 2021, Emanuel has intentionally accompanied Venezuelan refugees through worship, pastoral care, and community life. We invite congregations and individual members across the Synod who would like to build meaningful relationships with our Venezuelan neighbors to partner with this ministry through prayer, volunteering, donations, and fellowship.
As this ministry continues to grow, we also hope to develop a “Stories of Hope” Listening Project to preserve and share the voices of Venezuelan refugees with dignity, helping our churches learn from their faith, resilience, and hope.
If your congregation would like to partner with Emanuel Lutheran Church in this ministry, you can contact them directly.
Featured Resources for July
All youth leaders and pastors are invited to attend the monthly NT-NL Youth Leader Lunches that take place on 3rd Thursday of the month, starting in August. Join them at Rejoice, Coppell at 12:00pm for food, fellowship and ministry resources. There are virtual and recording options. If you want more information on NT-NL’s youth programs and the 2025-2026 schedule of events reach out to Janelle Miller or Maddie Franklin via NTNLYouth.org to learn how to get involved.
We are a church that believes God is calling us into the world together. ELCA Youth Ministry partners with the ELCA Youth Ministry Network, a group dedicated to renewing, educating and connecting those who work in youth ministry; with synod youth ministry leaders; with congregations across the church.
Cross Trails Ministry offers amazing programs in the Texas Hill Country every summer!
Where in the world is?
NT-NL synod staff are excited to engage in-person on Sundays for worship. As good stewards of time and travel dollars, we will be utilizing online meeting formats in our new hybrid reality when possible. If you would like to schedule a meeting with the bishop or Synod staff please contact them directly.
Bishop Gronberg:
July 5: Trinity-Fort Worth
July 12: Taking campers to Camp Chrysalis, Kerrville
July 18: Funeral at Gethsemane, Austin
July 26-Aug 1: Family Vacation
August 8: Rebecca Chase Ordination-Preston Meadow, Plano
August 9: Emanuel, Dallas; Central Lutheran Council meeting
August 10: CoB Online
August 12: AI Webinar
August 23: Christ, Dallas
Pastor Fitting-Snyder
July 6-11 Rostered Minister and Assistant to Bishop Gathering Indianapolis
July 12 St. Matthew, Waco Installation of Pr. Austin Nickel
July 18 NTNL Candidacy
July 19 Faith, Flower Mound
July 26 St. Peter, Malone, and New Life In Christ, Duncanville installation of Pr. Violeta Siguenza
August 1 Covenant, Temple Ordination of Jessica Nipp
August 2 St. John’s, Gatesville & Kyrie Pub Church, Fort Worth
August 8 Preston Meadow, Plano Ordination of Rebecca Chase
August 9 Our Redeemer, Grand Prairie
August 16 St. John’s, Gatesville
August 19-25 Family Visit in Pennsylvania
August 30 Community of Hope, Fort Worth
Pastora Bañales:
July;
1: Emanuel Dallas
2. DEM Adv Team
2. PODER Latinx young adult Ministry. Mission Developers
6-9: ELCA Rostered Ministers Gathering, Indianapolis
14-16: ELCA research Symposium on starting new churches, Chicago
19: Community of Hope, Ft Worth
20-23. ELCA All Staff Retreat, Chicago IL
26: Rev Violeta Siguenza installation. New Life in Christ Lutheran Church, Duncanville TX
31: Spanish Couples Retreat Planning Team.
Upcoming Events
With the ever-changing guidelines and recommendations in our world right now, as we maintain physical distance in social solidarity, please keep in mind these events may be moved online, postponed, or cancelled:
- July 6-9: Rostered Ministers Gathering, Indianapolis, Indiana
- July 11: Public Witness Team Meeting
- August 8: Public Witness Team Meeting
Access our full online Calendar here. Updates made regularly.
Do you have news or announcements to share? Please submit to office@ntnl.org for consideration for upcoming editions of our weekly news.